Kanye West Focuses on Faith, Family in First Election Campaign Video

Kanye West speaks on stage at the "Kanye West and Steven Smith in Conversation with Mark Wilson" in New York City on Nov. 7, 2019. (Brad Barket/Getty Images for Fast Company)

LOS ANGELES—Rapper Kanye West on Monday released his first official campaign video in his long-shot bid to be elected U.S. president on Nov. 3, focusing on faith in God and families.

West, 43, who launched his campaign for the White House on his social media accounts in July, is on the official ballot in a handful of U.S. states, according to U.S. media, but has no mathematical chance of winning.

Some political analysts believe that West’s run for office could siphon some Black supporters away from Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential election.

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In Monday’s video, the musician and fashion designer asked supporters to vote for him as a write-in candidate.

“By turning to faith, we will be the kind of nation, the kind of people, that God intends us to be,” West says in the video, featuring families at prayer and nature shots.

America ... What is America’s destiny? What is best for our nation, our people? what is just, true justice? We have to think about all these things, together as a people. To contemplate our future, to live up to our dream; we must have vision. We as a people will revive our Nation’s commitment to faith, to what our constitution calls the free exercise of religion including of course prayer.

Through prayer, faith can be restored. We as a people are called to a greater purpose than ourselves. We are not only a beckon to the world, but we should be servants to each other—to encourage each other, to help each other, to lift up each other, our fellow Americans, that we may all prosper together.

We have to act on faith with the sure knowledge that we are pursuing the right goals and doing the right things. We will build a stronger country by building stronger families. Families are the building blocks of society, of a nation. By turning to faith, we will be the kind of nation, the kind of people, God intends us to be. The video was the first major bid by West, formerly one of President Donald Trump’s biggest celebrity supporters, to be taken as a serious contender for the White House.

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The “Heartless” singer, who has 21 Grammy awards, said in 2018 that he suffered from bipolar disorder.

West has spent some $5.8 million on his campaign this year, according to a filing with the Federal Election Commission. Most of the funding comes from a $6.7 million loan from himself.

His kanye2020.country website carries ads for hoodies, hats, and t-shirts ranging from $40 to $160.

It also sets out a 10-point policy platform that includes reform of policing and the justice systems, reducing student debt, and restructuring the education system to better serve vulnerable people.

The Epoch Times contributed to this article.